New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Bansuri Swaraj on Sunday criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on women’s empowerment at the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune, accusing him of lacking a positive agenda and using the issue for political messaging.
Addressing the programme on Saturday, Gandhi described women as India’s biggest strength and an important national asset, arguing that their identities should not be defined merely through their relationships with men.
Reacting to the remarks, Swaraj accused Gandhi and the Congress of political “duplicity” on women’s rights and alleged that the party had opposed measures aimed at increasing women’s representation in legislative bodies.
“It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi who, in order to strengthen the foundation of Viksit Bharat, gave the core mantra of ‘women-led development’,” Swaraj told IANS.
She cited government initiatives including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana and subsidised LPG connections, claiming that women account for more than half of Jan Dhan accounts and two-thirds of Mudra beneficiaries, while more than 10 crore women have benefited from access to cleaner cooking fuel.
Swaraj also highlighted the induction of women into the National Defence Academy and claimed that women occupy leadership roles in 48 per cent of startups in India.
Taking aim at Gandhi, she questioned his position on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
“If you truly want the political empowerment of women, and if you plead so much for women’s empowerment, then why did you block Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam legislation from passage in Parliament? Why did you oppose it?” she asked.
Swaraj alleged that the Congress treats women’s reservation as a political issue and wants to use women primarily as a vote bank. She claimed Gandhi’s remarks were aimed at gaining attention rather than advancing a constructive agenda on women’s empowerment.
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